1900 S. First St.

1900 S. First St.

Top pick

One of Austin’s true temples to
vegetarian and vegan fare. Even the most avid meat-eater will be impressed with
dishes like portobello fajitas or the zucchini migas. Bonus points for best
veggie burger in town.

1415 S. Congress Ave.

506 West Ave.

506 West Ave.

This large restaurant and bars serves as something of a backyard party (even inside), with stiff drinks and comforting food like big burgers and sandwiches, along with nightly blue plate dinner specials.

2713 E. Second St.

2713 E. Second St.

Top pick

You want a taste of eclectic Austin? You want to touch a live wire that is part of the energy current drawing people to town? You want to experience a restaurant that mashes up two seemingly disparate cultures? You want to see a place that looks like no other restaurant in Austin or the rest of the country? Head to Kemuri. Tokyo-born and Austin-raised Tatsu Aikawa and native Austinite and first-generation Japanese-American Takuya “Tako” Matsumoto, who ignited a ramen craze in Austin when they opened Ramen Tatsu-Ya, have blended a Texas smokehouse with Japanese izakaya for a wholly unique menu.

The most obvious examples of the cross-pollination are the brisket ramen and the takoyaki (fried octopus ball) covered in Texas chili redolent with smoked jalapenos. There’s also creative stoner food, like gouda and brisket layered inside a fried tofu pocket, and more than a half-dozen skewers of grilled meat, veggies and seafood (get the beef tongue and miso-marinated scallop for a play on surf-and-turf). Wafts of this location’s history as a barbecue joint come through on an array of smoked items, from supple duck breast sweetened with orange ponzu to tangy mackerel spritzed with lemon. With a couple of friends? Share a Puff Puff Pass cocktail (another cross-cultural collab with sweet potato shochu, pecan and five spice bitters), sit back and inhale Kemuri’s vibe.